Collapsible lantern.



UNITED STATES.

I PATENT iatented September 29, 1903.

FFICE.

GOLLAPSIBLE LANTERN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 740,377, dated September 29, 1903.

Application filed January 31, 1903. Serial No. 141,299. (No model.)

To (0% whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. STONE- BRIDGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Lanterns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to collapsible lanterns such as shown and described in Letters Patent No. 662,474, issued to me November 27, 1900, and in an application for Letters Patent numbered 135,775 and filed by me December 18, 1902; and it has for its object to provide securing means for detachably connecting together several of the members of such a collapsible lantern in such manner as to permit of convenient connection and disconnection of the members.

The invention has for its particular object the provision of securing means of this description which will be superior in pointof simplicity and inexpensiveness of construction, facility in manipulation, and general efficiency, and which will be of relatively few parts. Reference is made to said prior Letters Patent and said prior application for Letters Patent for a complete showing and description of a collapsible lantern embody ing the present invention.

In the drawings which form part of the specification, and in which the several like parts are designated by the same reference in the several figures, Figure l is a detail side elevation of the several collapsible lantern members and parts embodying the present invention,'the same being shown in unsecured condition. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the members and parts being shown in connected condition. Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view taken through Fig. 2, and Fig. etis a detail plan view of the parts and members in unsecured condition.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, 1 designates the improved securing means which are employed in connection with a body member 2, a top member 3, and a guard at for an air-opening 5 in the top member 3, the several parts and members being embodied in acollapsible lantern such as initially herein referred to. The securing means embody a keeper or an eye 6, formed or arranged at the top of of the body member 2, a slidable latch 7, mounted upon the guard 4 at one side of the same and in position for engagementwith the keeper or eye 6, and an opening or slot 8 in the top member 3 at one side of the same and arranged to receive the .keeper or eye 6 in projection through the same prior to the engagement of the latch 7 with the keeper or eye 6. The top member 3 is formed into or provided with a stifieningflange or reinforcement 9 at the side edge of the same, adjacent to the opening 8, and when the guard 4 is in position for engagement of the latch 7 with the keeper or eye 6 the side edge of the former at which the latch is mounted abuts against. said stiffening-flange 9. v

The latch7is preferably formed of a single length of stiffwire 10, which is bent into two parallel portions 10 and 10", respectively, connected by a short portion 10. The portion 10 is slidably connected with the guard 4, as at 11, and at either face of the same, and is provided at its outer end with alip or head 10, arranged to limit the outward play of the latch. The portion 10 is arranged for slidable play through the keeper or eye-6 to permit engagement or disengagement of the former with or from the latter. The latch 7 is thus permanently carried by the guard at, being prevented from detachment therefrom by the lip or head 10 and the short portion 10 of the length of wire 10. The latch may be conveniently manipulated by means of the short portion 10,which serves as a finger-pieee.

The method and advantages of use of the improvements constituting thepresentin'vehtion will be readily understood by reference to the prior Letters Patent and prior application initially herein referred to and from the following statement:

When it is desired to connect together the body member *2, the top member 3, and the guard 4, the keeper or eye 6 is passed upwardly through the opening 8 in the top member 3, and the side of the guard upon which is mounted the latch 7 is depressed into engagement with the flange 9 upon the top mem- .ber. The portion 10 of the length of wire 10 constituting the latch 7 is then passed through the keeper or eye 6, firmly uniting the several members and parts together.

It will be observed that the flange 9'serves as a guide in seating the guard upon thetop member, and the latch is always limited in its movements, so as to be conveniently manipulated in the proper manner to engage or disengage the latch with or from the keeper or eye. The several members and parts may thus be connected or disconnected with ease in the dark or under other unfavorable conditions, and there are no parts of the securing means to become detached or misplaced and lost. Furthermore, but one movable part is employed in securing the three members or parts of the lantern together.

The method of relatively separating or disconnecting the several parts and members is manifestly the reverse of that last described.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the specific showing and description herein, but reserve the right to vary the same in adapting the invention to varying conditions of use without departing from the spirit of the invention or the terms of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a collapsible lantern, a body member,

a top member, and a guard 'for an opening inthe top member; and securing means for detachably uniting the same, embodying a sin gle movable member.

2. In a collapsible lantern, a body member,

a top member, and a guard for an opening in the top member; and securing means for detachably uniting the same, comprising a fixed member mounted upon said body member, and a movable member mounted upon said guard.

3. In a collapsiblelantern, a body member, a top member, and a guard for an opening in the top member; and securing means for detachably uniting the same, comprising a fixed member mounted upon said body member and arranged for projection through an opening in said top member, and a movable member upon said guard.

4. In a collapsible lantern, a body member, a top member, and a guard for an opening in the top member, said top memberbeing provided with a flange; and securing means for detachably uniting the same, comprising a keeper mounted upon said body member and arranged for projection through an opening in said top member, and a movable member upon said guard and arranged for engagement with said keeper when said guard is in engagement with said flange.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of the subscribing witnesses. v

CHARLES H. STONEBRIDGE.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK H. VAN HOUTEN, L. T. SULLIVAN. 

